A recent thru
st in the development of regenerative fuel cell systems has been led by th
e National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Regenerative fuel
cell systems provide energy storage at a scale that is larger than what is
practical with advanced batteries. In a regenerative fuel cell system\, e
nergy storage is achieved via the electrolysis of water to hydrogen and ox
ygen gas during the storage phase. Consumption of gases then occurs during
the energy generation phase\, with the subsequent generation of water. It
is envisioned that the energy for the electrolysis of water be supplied v
ia solar power. The regenerative fuel cell systems can be used to power ro
bots\, mobility systems\, and human habitats. This talk will provide an in
troduction of fuel cells and regenerative fuel cell systems and highlight
the features of this technology for enabling future NASA missions to the m
oon\, near-Earth asteroids\, and Mars.